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MEMORIAL 



JOHN F. MEGINNESS 



1827=1899 



IN MEMORY 



JOHN F. MEGINNESS, 



JOURNALIST AND HISTORIAN. 



July 16, 1827— November 11, 1899. 



A TKSTIMONIAL 

BY THE 

^AZETTE AND BULLETIN, 
THE SUN, 

PENNSYLVANIA GRIT, 
THE EVENING NEWS. 



WILLIAMSPORT, PA.: 

(iAZETTE AND BULLETIN PRINTING HOUSE. 

1900 






^G^ 



ov 



The death of John F. Megiuuess occurred at Wil- 
liam sport, Pa., ou Saturday uight, November 11, 
1891), suddenly and without a moment's warning. He 
had spent tlie day in Harrisburg, returning on a late 
train. It was after eleven o'clock when he entered 
his home, bearing a package of books, among the 
number being a handsome volume, of his own crea- 
tion, recounting the incidents of his Golden Wedding 
celebration, which occurred on the 25th of October 
previous. While exhibiting this book to his wife 
and daughter-in-law the summons came, and he sank 
to the tloor dead. At the instant of death he was 
directing attention to the features of the book. 
"Look at the title page," he said, pointing to the 
time-stained marriage certificate. These were his 
last words. The following chapters tell the story of 
his life. 



SKETCH OF HIS LIFE. 



John Franklin Meginness, journalist and historian, 
was born July !(>, 1827, in Colerain, Lancaster Coun- 
ty, Pa., being the son of Benjamin and Sarah Megin- 
ness. lie spent his boyhood upon his father's farm, 
and attendcHl the common schools as opportunity of- 
fcr(>d. A love of learning seems to have been born in 
liini, and he studied hard and read deeply. The 
family removed to Illinois in May, 1843, and the 
youug man accompanied them. Not liking the ap- 
l)earance of things in that country, he turned his 
face, iu October of the same year, toward the place 
of his birtli, having taken a sad leave of his mother, 
of whom he was extremely fond, and whom he never 
saw again. He tarried along the way, devoting some 
time to making steamboat trips between St. Louis 
and New Orh^ans. Having spent the winter of 1843-4 
with an uncle in Indiana, he proceeded on his trip 
to Pennsylvania, traveling on foot between Wheel- 
ing, Va., and Ohambersburg, Pa. The following win- 
ter was spent with relatives, and the time was oc- 
cupied iu attending school and in diligently adding 
to his sum of knowledge. 

The next spring he proceeded to Danville, where 
he was employed in the Montour Iron Works until, 
the Mexican war having broken out, he enlisted April 
9, 1847, joining Company D, Fifth U. S. Infantry, 
then commanded by Captain Randolph B. Marcy. lie- 
porting to his company commander at Hariisbuug, 



6 IN MEMORY OF 



Meginness was soon selected by the Captain as clerk 
iu his office, a position which, by reason of his ex- 
cellent penmanship, he Avas well fitted to fill. He be- 
came a favorite with the children of Captain Marcy, 
among- the number being the future wife of General 
George B. McClellan. 

The company to which Meglnness belonged, but 
without its Captain, who continued on recruiting- 
duty, sailed from New York, June 11), 1847, for Vera 
Cruz, Mexico, where they arrived on July 20, 1847. 
Joining a column of 1,000 men commanded by Major 
Lally, they took up the line of march to join General 
►Scott's forces. They were engaged with the enemy 
at National Bridge and at other points along the 
way, losing several men in a skirmish at the old bat- 
tle field of Cerro Gordo, Meginness making a naricjw 
escape, a musket ball having passed between his 



riiiht arm and bodv 



'& 



With a column under the command of General 
Joseph liaue, of Indiana, Meginness marched to 
Pueblo, near which place the officer commanding his 
(•(jmpany, Lieut, llidgley, lost his life in a dash to dis- 
lodge the enemy from a neighboring village. With 
the same column the subject of this sketch entered 
the City of Mexico, December 7, 1847. He made the 
nuirch to the City of Mexico and back to Vera Cruz, 
carrying all of his equipments and never having fall- 
en out of the line. During his entire enlistment he 
acted as clerk of his company. He kept a journal of 
his experiences, which is now among his effects, and 
which is not only worth admiring for the manner in 
which it was written, but makes exceedingly interest- 
ing reading. 



JOHN F. MEGINNESS. 



It was Megiuness' good fortune to be present with 
liis reiLj,iHient in the courtyard of the National Palace 
when the first installment of three millions of dollars, 
out of the fifteen millions to be paid for California, 
was carried in from the wagons and delivered to the 
Mexican authorities. 

July 17, 1848, his regiment sailed from Vera, Cruz 
on the bark Jane Gano, for New Orleans, which was 
reached before the end of the month. Meginness and 
other members of the company who had enlisted for 
the war were discharged at East Pascagoula, Missis- 
sippi, in August. 

The ex-soldier then returned to Montour County, 
this State, where he remained a short time, going 
thence to Jersey Shore, Lycoming County. There he 
took charge of a public school, which he conducted 
successfully for two terms. 

On the 25th of October, 1849, he was united in mar- 
riage with Miss Martha Jane King, daughter of Wil- 
liam King, of Mifflin Township, Lycoming County, 
and soon aftenvards the young couple took up their 
residence in Jersey Shore. Ten children were born 
to them. 

June 9, 1852, Mr. Meginness became editor of the 
Jersey Shore Rvpuhlican, a weekly paper owned by 
Robert Baker and Jacob Sallade, holding that po- 
sition until June, 1854, when the paper was sold. 
This was the beginning of his career as a journalist, 
to which he thenceforth, with such marked ability, 
devoted himself. On the 29th of June, 1854, he be- 
came associated with S. S. Seely, and they founded 
The News Letter at Jersey Shore, Mr. Meginness retir- 
ing from the firm on the 30th of August, 1855. 



IN MEMORY OF 



At this time he conceived the idea of writing a 
history of the West Branch Valley of the Susquehan- 
na, which was immediately entered upon. The work 
was prosecuted with energy^ and published by Henry 
R. Ashmead, of Philadelphia, in the autumn of 1856. 
It made an octavo volume of 518 pages, and was the 
pioneer history of this section of the State. The work 
was kindly received by many people in the valley at 
that time, who realized the importance of rescuing 
their local history from oblivion, but being in ad- 
vance of the times the enterprise did not i>rove 
profitable. But the author lived to see the day when 
a revised and enlarged edition was demanded a third 
of a century afterwards. In after years the contents 
of his book were stolen time and again by others who 
entered the historical field, and two or three news- 
papers republished it in weekly parts. 

In May, 1857, he was offered the editorship of The 
ISlcntmel, a. weekly paper published at Peru, Illinois, 
which he accepted, and soon aifterwards moved his 
family to that city. Early in the fall of 1859 the of- 
fice was destroyed by fire, and he was again out of 
employment. Politics at that time were warm in 
Illinois on account of the great contest between 
Judge Douglas and Abraiham Lincoln for the United 
States Senatorship. Having formed the acquaint- 
ance of Judge Douglas, that distinguished states- 
man and politician took a warm interest in the 
young editor, and through his intercession he was 
given a position as editorial writer on the Springfield 
l)(t\hi I\((/isfcr during tliat heated campaign. It was 
his good lortune^ to be present at several of the great 
(Icbati'S between those two tMuinent men and hear 
them discuss the political issups of the day. 



JOHN F. MEGINNESS. 



9 



After retiring from the position of editorial writer 
on, tlie RcgiMcr, lie was offered the charge of a week- 
ly paper called The Spectator, at Carlinville, Illinois, 
with the promise of assistance to purchase it. He at 
once accepted the offer, and took charge of the paper 
in December, 1858. He soon afterwards purchased 
the paper, su])plied the office with new material 
tlirougliout, and being liberally supported, was en- 
abh'd to become the sole owner in two years. But 
just as lie was in a position to realize something from 
his labors, the rebellion broke out, and in a few weeks 
all business was at a stand still. In. October, 1801, 
after a residence in Carlinville of two years and nine 
nvonths, he disposed of his newspaper office at a sacri 
flee and moved his family back to the home of hi*-; 
wife's parents in Lycoming County, Pa. 

On June 30, 1802, he moved his family to Williams- 
port. Late in the winter of that year he received an 
appointment as a clerk under t^aptain Wm. Stoddard, 
assistant quartermaster, Alexandria, Va. In a short 
time C^iptain Ferguson, quartermaster in charge of 
the post, and all his assistants, were removed. They 
wer(« succeeded by C^aptain J. G. C. Lee, U. S. A., who 
immediately surrounded himself with new officers. 
The post at Alexandria was a very important one, 
as nearly all the quartermaster and commissary 
stores for the Army of the Totomac passed through 

it. 

After two years' service in a subordinate clerical 
position, Meginness was made chief clerk of the 
bureau of transportation. Tliis office was an im- 
portant one on account of its close relations with 
Captain Lee, the (piarter master in charge, as all the 



10 IN MEMORY OF 



hills r»f ladino' of stores for the Arniy of the Potomac 
passed through the chief clerk's hands, and he was 
constantly beset with parties seekino- transportation 
to the front. Frequent attempts were made to in- 
duce him by bribes to issue passes to this class of 
]HM)]>le, and on one occasion he was offered |100 in 
gold to pass a certain party to the front. The offer 
was firmly refused, and the party turned over to the 
oflficer in charge, ayIio sternly rebuked him for at 
tempting to corrupt the clerk who was placed in such 
an important and confidential relation. 

Shortly before the close of the war he resigned 
his ( lerkship with Captain Lee, A. Q. M., to accept an 
a]»pointment in the Division of Eeferred Claims, Pay- 
master Generars ottice, Washington City, under 
Colonel J. Sallade. Learning of his contemplated 
departure, the clerks of his division, who had long 
been associated with him, presented him with a hand- 
some gold mounted cane. 

After entering the Paymaster rxeneral's office, he 
only remained there a few months, when he was ap- 
pointed to a first-class clerkship in the Third Audi- 
tor's office. Treasury Department, under Hon. John 
Wilson, and assigned to the Division of State War 
( 'laims. After about a year's service in this bureau, 
he was transferred to the Second Comptroller's of- 
fice. Col. Broadhead, Treasur}^ Department. 

He remained in the Treasury until June 1st, 1800, 
when he was mustered out, after being in government 
employ for seven years. Soon after retiring from the 
Treasury Department, he removed his family to Wil- 
liamsport, l*a., and: accepted the managing editorship 
of the daily Li/comiii;/ (idzcfte, the (ddest paper in 



JOHN F. MEGINNESS. 11 

Lycoming County. He continued in this position un- 
til the 22(1 of November, when the paper was consoli- 
<lated with the daily evening liiillitm, under the title 
of (Idzctfc (tin] liiinctiu, and he was appointed city 
editor. In course of time Mr. E. W. Caiiron, the edi- 
to]', retired, and he succeeded him as editor. This 
arrangement continued until 1872, when Col. James 
11. Lambert, of New York, secured an interest in the 
paper and became editor, when Meginness again took 
charge of the city department. In four years Lambert 
retired, when Meginness again became editor in chief. 
This arrangement continued until November 10, 
1881), when, literally broken (h)wn with the arduous 
duties of his position, he resigned and retired for a 
year's rest. His connection with the paper extended 
over a continuous period of twenty years. 

During 1888, in addition to his editorial labors, Mr. 
Meginness started and conducted a monthly maga- 
zine, entitled The Historical Journal. It was devot^ 
ed to the publication of local history, biograi)hy and 
necrology, and soon attained a sufficient circulation 
to make it self-supporting. 

In 1889, through the urgent solicitation of friends, 
he undertook the work of rewriting and revising his 
"Otzinachson, or History of the West Branch Val- 
ley," because the first edition, published in 1856, was 
entirely out of print. It nmde a volume of 702 octavo 
jKiges, illustrated with diagrams, maps, anti(piities 
and jjortraits, and was accepted by the reviewers as 
a standard work, and a valuable contribution to the 
history of the State. 

S(»on after retiring from the daily newspa]»er, he 
undertcjok the work of writing an exhaustive biogra- 



12 IN MEMORY OF 



l)liy of Frances Slocnm, the Litst Sister of Wyoming. 
This involved nmcli research, besides two journeys 
to Pern, Indiana, to confer with the Indian descend- 
ants of Frances living on the Wabash, where slie died 
in 1847, aft(H' being lost to friends and civilization 
f(jr ntnirly sixty years. The work was completed and 
jnil'lished in DiM-ember, 1800. It attracted much at- 
tention, and the editicjn was soon exhausted. 

In addition to his tnlitorial and literary labors, he 
made a journey to some part of the United States 
lu^arly every year. On one occasion he extende<l his 
journ(\v to San Francisco and other portions of Cali- 
fornia. He also visited various historic places in 
man}'- ]jarts of the Ignited States. After a, severe 
sjKdl of sickness in 1881, he made a voyage to Havana, 

When making these annual visits, he usually wrote 
a series of letters over the signature of "John of Lan- 
caster," Avhich were imblished in the Qnzcite and 
BiilJcfiii. 

In making these journeys, tens of thousands of 
miles were travcded by rail and steam-boat, and he 
never was in a serious accident by rail or water, and 
always met friends, whether on the shores of the At- 
lantic or Pacific, the ( lUlf of Mexico, the city of Hava- 
na, in other great cities, in the mountains, or on the 
idains. 

During the last thirty years he wrote many letters 
and sketches for the PhilndcJpliia Times, The Press, 
/'('(■Old, Neir York Ifcnild, Hiiii, and other journals. As 
early as 1855 he was a correspondent for the Phila- 
delphia Led(jer. And for several years he served as 
the telegraphic correspondent of The Press and 
Times, Philadelphia. In his journalistic capacit}^ he 



JOHN F. MEGINNESS. 13 

attended uearly every State Oouveiition, of all 
parties, iu Peuusylvauia for eigliteem years, witness- 
ed the inaugiiratiou of half a dozen presidents, and 
more than that number of governors. 

For forty years he lived a busy life, and while not 
laying- claim to having accomplished anything extra- 
ordinary, he certainly labored as industriously in an 
humble sidiere as many who have achieved great dis- 
tinction. In 1891 he was engaged to prepare an 
elaborate history of Lycoming Oounjty for the pub- 
lishing house of Brown, Hunk & Company, Chicago, 
which he tiuislied in the spring of 1892. And in ad- 
dition to his literary labors, he occasionally found 
time to write an article or communication for some 
of his journalistic friends at home or abroad. 



14 IN MEMORY OF 



HIS HmTORIOAL WRITINGS. 



The historical works of pToliii F. Mej^innoss com- 
prise more tlinu a, .score of volumes. These include: 

Otzinachsou; or, a. History of the West Branch of the 
Susquehanna. Philadelijliia, 1857. 8 vo. pp. xvi. 
and 518. 

History, Advantages, Resources and Industries of 
the City of Williamsport. Map and Illustrations. 
Williamsport, 188G. 8 vo. pp. 87. 

Otzinachson — revised and rewritten, with much new 
matter added. Map and Illustrations. Williams- 
port, 1889. 8 vo. pp. 707. 

Journal of Samuel Maclay, while Assisting in the 
Sui'vey of the West Branch of the Susquehanna, 
the Sinnemahoning and Allegheny Rivers in 179(1. 
Annotated by John F. Meginness. Williamsport. 
8 vo. pp. 63. 

Biographical Annals of Deceased Residents of the 
West Branch Valley. Williamsport, 1889. 8 vo. 
pp. 272, double columns. 

Murders: . A curious compilation, containing a 
record of every murder in Lycoming County from 
1795 to 1890. Williamsport. 8 vo. pp. 600. 

Biography of Frances Slocum, the Lost Sister of Wy- 
oming. AVilliamsport. 8 vo. pp. 246, including 
suj)plement. 

Meginness Family. AVilliamsport, 1891. 8 vo. pp. 
248. 

History of Lycoming County. 

History of the Borough of Butler, Pa. Royal 8 vo. 



JOHN F. MEGINNESS. 15 

(Teiiealogy and ITistory of the TTepbiirn Family. Por- 
traits. Wiliiamsport, 1894. 8 vo. pp. 186. • 

History of the Great Ishiiid and William Dimn, its 
Owner. Illustrated. Wiliiamsport, 1804. 8 vo. 
pp. 128. 

Tlie TTistorical Journal: a. Monthly Record of Local 
History and Biography. Vol. I. 1887-88. Vol. II. 

1894. Wiliiamsport. Illustrated. 8 vo. pp. 390, 
396. 

Lycoming rounty: Its Organization and Civil His- 
tory for One Hundred Years, 1795-1895. Maps 
and Illustrations. Wiliiamsport, 1895. 8 vo. pp. 
82. 

Historj^ of Cincinnati and Hamilton County, Ohio. 
"Iron" John Thomas. Address at the Reunion of 

the Thomas Family. Wiliiamsport, Aug. 20, 1890. 

8 vo. pp. 17. 
Official Report of the Proceeding's of the Centennial 

Anniversary of Lycoming County, July 2, 3 and 4, 

1895. With an Account of Antiquarian Hall and 
Its Wonders. Maps and Illustrations. Williams- 
port, 1896. 8 vo. pp. 388. 

The Scotch-Irish of the Upper Susquehanna Valley. 
8 vo. pp. 11. Read before the Scotch-Irish Congress 
at Harrisburg, June 5, 1896. 

Genealogy and History of the Descendants of Maj. 

Gen. Arthur St. Clair. Harrisburg, 1897. 8 vo. 

pp. 30. 
Annals of Montoursville, Pa. Montoursville, 1898. 

8 vo. pp. 122. 

Life and Times of Robert Robb, Esq., of Muncy 
Township. Muncy Luminary, 1899. 8 vo. pp. 53. 



16 IN MEMORY OF 



TRTlUiTES IN THE PRESS. 



TRAITS AS A JOURNALIST. 

The relations that the deceased hehl as a journal- 
ist, eov(4'in<;" upwards of forty-five years of laborious, 
earnest and eontiieting service, alone establishes his 
title as a man of more than ordinary achievements. 
As a writer he was aggressive, f(\arless and comba- 
tive when the occasi<m required, while no one w^as 
more considerate and guarded in word and expres- 
sion, avoiding the infliction of pain or censure, when 
the subject of such ai cause was under review. Dur- 
ing a large portion of his editorial life the country 
was in such a feverish and exciting conditioni that, 
with many of the profession, moderation was not 
counted a virtue. With him, however, the most ex- 
acting tests were not allowed to carry him beyond 
the range of sober reason and careful consideration. 
The period pending the War of the Rebellion, dur- 
ing the Ave years of internecine strife and the re- 
construction days, were well calculated to bring in- 
to active exercise latent talent and fruits of stu<ly 
and observation. Under such pressure, requiring 
daily use of opinions and criticism, the man of 
Ihought, energy and ambition found the task pleas- 
ant even in its exactictns. Editor Meginness threw his 
personality, like Dana, of the New York aS%h, into the 
editorial columns he controlled. There was no nega- 
tive or evasive si(l(^ in ccmsidering the live, vital 
issues as they passed under i)ublic review. He was 



JOHN F. MEGINNESS. 17 

positive, direct and poiiiteil. These most desirable 
qiialifleations made him produce tlie best possible 
results, the results that gave strength and influence. 
Method, classification and condensation, positive es- 
Mentialw in journalistic work, guided, governed and 
inspired. 

The war period, when many new^spaper writers 
suffered passion, personal hate and bitterness to 
pois(mi their pen, he retained full contr(»l of his emo- 
tions. The writer of this humble notice can truly 
say that, although differing widely during these ex- 
citing periods in political opini(*ns and belief, there 
never was a time wdien the liand could not be grasped 
with friendly feeling. When in a dark hour, when 
others should have extended sympathy and help, he 
prcived a brother indeed. Beyond the tears of blood 
and kindred no more sincere expression of commis- 
eration and sorrow will be extended than that of 
the friend (»f thirty-five years standing. 

CHARLES T. HUSTON. 



HIS WORK AS AN HISTORIAN. 

John F. Meginness earned his daily bread with 
"the pen of a ready writer;" he also thereby earned 
that wdiich few of us can hope to secure — a x>erma- 
nent and enduring fame. The West Branch Valley 
owes him a debt of gratitude that can only now be 
paid by the tribute time and posterity will not fail 
to accord his memory. His pen, following the as- 
siduous labor of the true historian, has rescued from 
(ddivion so much of the history and annals of this 
section of our Commonwealth that he has deservedly 
earned tlie fame so much his due. The infinite pains 



18 IN MEMORY OF 



and w(Mrv lunirs reqiiinMl to ascertain and classify 
the (lata for his many historical works alone make a 
stn])en(lons task, and when he corroborated these 
facts, as he always did, with his graceful and facile 
pen, he ])r(;<liiced w<frks of exceeding value from an 
historical staiid]H(int an<l forming a, literature de- 
lightfully fascinating. 

■ The trials and tribulations of the early settlers of 
the \\'est Branch Valley; the massacres they suffered' 
at the hands of their cruel neighbors; the loss of 
their crojis and destruction of their homes; the many 
dangers they were compelled to undergo and the dis- 
tressing incidents of their daily lives; their lack of 
the advantages of civilizaticfn; their courageous. God- 
fearing and Industrie JUS habits, and their firm deter- 
mination to bring a civilization out of the wilderness, 
a free and enliglitened government from barbarism, 
and to leave to those who would come after them 
l>ros])erous and happy homes; all this, and much 
more, has been faithfully recorded by Mr. Meginness 
in forms aecurate in detail, thorough in comprehen- 
sivc^ness and withal so dtdightful in construction and 
arrangement as to give us histories which will al- 
ways remain of the greatest value and interest. 
Foremost among his productions must be placed his 
"Otziiiachson, a History of the West Branch Valley,'' 
published in 1850 to the total exhaustion of his pri- 
vate means — and hence, purely a labor of love — and 
enlai'ged and re-edited in 1880. This is not only a. 
work of historic valut^ second to none in Pennsyl- 
vania, but furnishes rcaeling most interesting and en- 
joyable. So, also, his "Frances Slocuni," published 
in 18!)1, is as fascinating as any novel, while perfectly 



JOHN F. MEGINNESS. 19 

true in every detail of facts. Besides many niono- 
graplis, chiefly appeariug in the jHiblic press under 
hisnitnide plume of "John of Lancaster," his "History 
of Lycominj^- ('ounty" (181)2), "Biographical Annals 
of Deceased Ivesidents of the West Branch Valley" 
(1881)), and "Historical Journal of the Local History 
and Bio^rapliy of Northwestern I*ennsylvania" (1888- 
18J)4), unite with the first nanned in giving us in bril- 
liant colors a photographic reproduction of the his- 
tory of the West Branch Valley and of its people, 
both i)i<meer and modern. 

AMicn there has been completed the beautiful pub- 
lic library with whicli our fellow-citizen, Mr. James 
v. Brown, will presently so generously endow our 
cit3', it is hoped that one of its alcoves will contain 
the fine private library of Mr. Meginness, so rich in 
local histories ami biographies, and thus making so 
excellent a memorial to our late distinguished towns- 
nmn. 

Years will come and go and with them will pass 
away our lives and our very memories, but for one 
there will always remain a fame, perhaps then ac- 
corded more generously than during his lifetime. No 
public shaft or private monuments need be graven 
with his name and record, for yet more enduriijg 
will be his works. When all of us are forgotten, fu- 
ture generations will honor his name as of one who, 
without hope of pecuniary reward, gave his time 
and means to the perpetuation of the history of his 
clioseu home. The grateful ap])reciation of future 
geu( rations in the West Branch Valley will be the 
enduring monument of John F. Meginness. 

C. LA KITE ftrUNSON. 



20 IN MEMORY OF 



TKIliUTE OF A JOURNALISTIC CO-LABORER. 

I \v;is iKtt only .greatly shocked but deeply grieved 
upon [irst learuiug of the sudden death of Mi*. John 
F. Meginness. Having been one of the invited 
guests at the recent celebration of his gohh^n wed- 
ding, and having met and conversed with him a 
iinnibcM' of times since, his death was an event whicli 
I was not in the least expecting. I had known him 
well for at least thirty years, being for a long time 
closely associated with him in newspaper work. My 
first knowledge of liim was gained when seeing his 
neatly written letters from Washington to the (^hl 
Dniljl (t<iz(it<' over the signature of "Druid." When, 
later, 1 met him personally, this i>revious: knowledge 
made the ac(inaintance all the more interesting. It 
was thr(,ugh his instrumentality that I entered Tijion 
the work of ncAvsiJaper reporting, and his consider- 
ate encouragement of nie as a tyro was a kindness 
wliich I always remembered gratefully. The example 
he afforded me in accuracy and industry in the work 
Avas well worthy of careful imitation, whether I fully 
])r((tited thereby or not. 

Dnring the long years of our later association it 
was my ])rivileg(^ to handle in the manuscript many 
of those highly intere>;ting letters which he rained in 
from all ])(>in(s (if the compass fr((m Maine to Cali- 
fornia, from Cuba, Mexico and elsewhere. The gen- 
eral reader w<Hild hardly be ready to credit the state- 
ment llial many of thes(> well written e])istles, filled 
nol only with gia]diic descri]»tions, but with a liberal 
share (»f statistics and historical statements, were 
IH nned on the train while it sped along under full 
headway. The practical newsjKiper worker will ap- 



JOHN F. MEGINNESS. 21 

preciate what acreivtabli' 'S-opy" tliey afforded when 
I say that they could all be giveu to the priuter just 
as they reached the office, uot a title or a sub-head 
ha vino- to be added. 

I recall vividly the eagerness and promptness with 
which he would set out froin the office if a startling 
piece of news came in his way. He was a tireless 
worker and very i)articular in all that he did. A 
careless type setter or i)roof reader gave him the 
liorrorw, and would disturb his expianimity quicker 
than anything else in his newspaper experience. 

He had an extensive acquaintance among public 
men and enjoiyed their high respect. Many of them 
were indebted largely to him for helping tO' give 
them prominence, something that a majority of them, 
though not all, expressed tlunr acknowledgments 
for. 

1 thought 1 had iiarted with him for the last time 
when, by order of his physician, he started for a trip 
to Cuba about seventeen years ago. It pleased Provi- 
dence, however, to bring him home alive and to spare 
him during the intervening years, enabling him to 
add largely to the sum of what he had previously ac- 
complished in th(^ way of work for the benefit of the 
world. 

I feel a senile of i)ersonal loss in his death, and I 
trust that if Ik^ has not been fully appreciated by his 
(twn generation, he may hereafter be held in the esti- 
mati(m due to his busy and useful life. 

J. J. GALBRAITH. 



22 IN MEMORY OF 



VIEWS OF A YOUNG EDITOK. 

It is iiiiiti(issil:l(' for nw to express the esteem in 
which 1 hehl -lohii F. Me<j;iiiiiess and (lie re<;ret 1 feel 
over liis sudden and imexpected death. In the field of 
jourualism Mr. Me.i;inness held a foremost i)laee, and 
he was au example and an inspiration to those young- 
er in years and exi)erience. As a historian, the books 
which he lias Avritten s])eak for themselves, and will 
speak to future j^enerations. Tlie death of John F. 
Meginness is a. great loss to the held of jourualism, to 
the literary world, and especially to the people of 
W'illiamsporl and to the entire West Branch Valley. 

E. F. WOLF, 
Editor Evening New.s. 



BY J. M. M. GERNERD. 

" 'JidiiD of Lancaster"' and his good wife richly de- 
serve the honors heaped on them at their golden wed- 
ding. I never think of Williamspoii: but my heart 
warms up with recollections of John F. Meginness. 
Trutlifuln(\ss and kindness are stamped all over the 
man, and 1 feel myself drawn irresistibly to him. I 
wished to attend his golden wedding but could not." 

These friendly words are from a private letter re- 
ceived from the venerable Capt. John M. Buckalew, 
of Columbia County, Pa., that was written a week or 
more before the sudden demise of our mutual friend, 
John F. M(\ginness. They are not words of praise 
suggested by the death of the man to whom they re- 
late, and Avere not meant to be read by the public, 
but they were the heartfelt and sixtutaneous senti- 
ments of an aged friend who well knew the worth of 
the nuin of whom he wrote^ — and we have taken the 



JOHN F. MEGINNESS. 23 

liberty to nse tliem, because they admirably express 
tli(^ ]on_o- clun'ished opinion^ and feelings of a large 
circle of personal friends, who now sincerely mourn 
over the good' man's death and deeply sympathize 
with his esteemed wife, and children and grand- 
child ron, John F. Meginness was iu' every way just 
the Man his esteemed old friend and admirer of 
Fishing Creek thought him to be. Truthfulness and 
kindness Avere indeed "stamped all over the man." 

Jiut while this is the highest kind of praise that a 
man can have (since "an honest man is the noblest 
work of God''), the man thus eulogized was more 
than a. good, pure, truthful, honest, kindly and love- 
able man. lie was a very useful man, a public bene- 
factcu', a tireless worker, and by his unselfish and in- 
adequately compensated labors reared for himself a 
monument that will perpetuate his name and worth 
better than bronze, marble or granite. As Mr. C. 
LaRue Munsion said in an impromtu but very neat 
speech at the golden wedding, when the rest of us 
are all dead and forgotten, then John F. Meginness 
will be remembered and honored. 

Dead? Not forever! 

"No: heaven's immortal spring shall yet arrive, 
And (the) man's majestic beauty bloom again, 
Bright thro' the eternal years of Love's triumphant 
reign! " 



DR. W. H. EGLE IN THE HARRISBURG TELEGRAPH. 

The Editor of "Notes and Queries," on the after- 
noon of November 11, ISl)!), h.ad a two hours' delight- 
ful visit fi'oiii his friend of many years, John. F. Me- 
ginness, of Willianisport, the accom])lisluNl histori- 
an of the West IJranch Valley. Entertaining in his 



24 IN MEMORY OF 



talk, the impression he left was one of pleasure. Lit- 
tle thought the writer that seven hours later the 
Death-Anj^el would liaA'e stamped his seal on heart 
and brain. IJeacliiuiLi his home, perchance somewhat 
excited, he suddenly fell over dead. The shock at 
this sudden termination of a brilliant earthly career 
cannot be described. It was only a few weeks prior 
(October 25, 1899,) that he bade his friends to the 
celebration of the fiftieth anniversary of his wedding'. 
Living beyond three-score and ten, his apparent gHiod 
health gave promise of a few more years of historic 
labor and usefulness. Verily it is well, that while 
the day is here that one works with his might, lest 
no other dawn on him. Mr. Meginness was an inde- 
fatigable delver. He made his researches conscien- 
tiously — and truth was his sole aim in historic lore. 
Tie accomplished much — he preseiwed for the j^ears 
to come great treasure-houses of history, biography 
and genealogy. If there is any one in the entire 
West Branch Valley who dare step in his shoes let 
him c(uue forth. Mr. Meginness was a perfect ency- 
cloi)edia of West Branch history— and this w^as only 
gathered through almost fifty years of quiet, faithful 
delving. Shall we look upon his like again? No, 
no( in this decade nor in the next. Founded upon the 
data he gathered, the writers for the years to come 
mast depend upon the unrequited labors of that man 
of toil, of ennlition, and research. One by one the 
scribes of the historic j)ast are going otit from the 
liomes of the living. Within the past two years 
Pennsylvania has lost nikany gifted in this field of 
literature, Frederick I). Stone, William S. Baker, 
.I(din Blair Linn, Dallas Albert, and others — a bright 



JOHN F. MEGINNESS. 25 

array of tlie literati of our Coiiiinonwealtli — -wliilo 
within the iiiontli the jLi'alaxy of stars has boon dim- 
mod by tho (h'ath of Isaac <'rai,i;', Dr. John (J. I>rinton, 
Dr. W. J. Hoffman and Jolin F. Me^^inness. Otliers 
may — nay, will — rise np and take their j)laoos, but 
those shall thiive on the legaoios left them by the 
reapers who have fathered up their sheaves. Few 
of tlie people of tcs-day properly appreciate the excel- 
lent servicers of tlu^se men of lottcn-s, yet tln^ work of 
their brain will live l<ni,i>' after the sensational litx^rn- 
tnre of the present shall be remanded to a deserved 
(ddivion. 

In c(mclusion, we are all aware that every work- 
man must have tools. Mr. Meginness gathered, dur- 
ing his lifetime, an exceedingly valuable librairy of 
l(;cal history, and we know that it was one of his fond- 
est wishes that this should be kept intact. We hope 
this may be done, and that the liberal citizens of Wil- 
lianisport will see that it is not scattered to the four 
^vinds of heaven. They ought to secure it for their 
( ity, as til 03- could pay no greater tribute to his worth 
and services. It will form the nucleus of a public 
library which will increase in value as the years roll 
on. 



TRIBUTE OF A FRIEND. 

In the death of John F. Meginness the community 
has lost a. man of almost inestimable value to it. 
Wliile his ])assing away is deplored by all who real- 
ize the im])(»rtance of the sphere he filled so admir- 
ably, yet it is not as lliough all the treasures of his 
rare mind wore lost lo us. In his Ifistory of the 
West Branch N^iUey, History of Lycoming Ojnnty, 



26 IN MEMOKY OF 



of different family liistories, and other writinjijs, he 
h:ii^ reared a iiKnuinieiit to himself that will be last- 
in*^'. Few men are };ifle<l with the jjiitience and \H'v- 
aistence, reqnisite in a. historian, as was Mr. Megin- 
ness. Tn his history he has left behind him a work 
v.hich had never been attempted before in this sec- 
tion, and is not likely to be improved npon in the 
future. ITis mental traits were of a high order, and 
his naturally tine literary tastes were cultivated by 
(he reading and study of the best class of books, of 
which he owned a choice collection. 

Ever thoughtful of others, his nature was kind as 
a woman's. His wife was the recipient of a devo- 
tion which is seldom seen among men. May lie who 
marks the sparrow's fall comfort her grief-strleken 
heart in this hour of sorrow; to the children bereft 
of a kind and loving father the consolations of His 
grace. 

Willi a very sad heart I lay these few words as a 
shadow of a wreath of lilies and laurels on the mem- 
ory of one of (he noblest, truest, an<l best friends I 
ever had. 

CHARLES B. SEELY. 



JOHN F. MEGINNESS. 



27 



FUNERAL CEUEMONIEB. 



[^Wedncsdnij, November 15, 1899. '\ 



Funeral services were held at IMme Street M. E. 
Church, at 10 A. M., aud were coudueted by the Pas- 
tor, Kev. J. B. Shavi'r. Euh»ii,istie addresses were de- 
livered by Kev. E. J. (hay, 1). 1)., and C. \a\ Rue Muu- 
sou, Esq. The intermeut was in the cemetery at 
Jersey Shore, Pa., the burial service at the grave be- 
ing read by Kev. J. B. Shaver. 

PALL BEARERS. 



HONOBARY. 



C. B. Seely. 
M. J. Bernauer, 
H. H. Rutter, 
T. B. Painter, 
J. J. Galbraith, 
Carl Tewell, 
O. S. Brown, 
T. P. Whaley, 
G. Bert Repasz, 
W. G. Talley. 
Howard Galbraith, 
Luke Greevy, 



Dietrick Lamade, 
Fred M. Lamade, 

F. B. Manson, 
E. E. Person, 
John Biidd, 

G. M. Robinson, 
E. M. Sigfried, 
E. F. Wolf, 

W. P. Clarke, 
H. F. Richards, 
James W. Sweely, 
Geo. S. Maxwell, 



S. V. Border. 



ACTIVE. 



John R. Hazelet, 
Lewis Sheffen 



J. R. Stead, 
G. W. Harder, 



PALL HEARERS AT .lEHSKY SlIOKE. 

J. S. Childs, 
D. A. Bingman, 
F. T. Wilson. 



H. B. Humes, 
Rol)ort McCullough, 
Joseph Wood, 



28 IN MEMORY OF 



ADDRESS BY REV. E. J. GRAY, D. D. 

"We meet to-day in the preseuee of a real and a 
threat sorrow. Our lieai-ts are deeidy moved; tears 
(•(tme unl/idden to onr eyes and a sense of personal 
_i;rief steals into our minds as we sit in silence and 
think of the loss we have sustained. 

"A man has suddenly left us to return to us no 
more — yes — a manly man^ — but more than that — a 
neig-hbor has been taken from us without a moment's 
warning or a word from the great Disposer of hu- 
man events that he was wanted elsewhere. Yes, a 
neighborly neighbor — but more than that — a friend 
has quickly gone out of the cirxde in which he has 
mov(Hl for half a century, leaving a vacancy which 
can never be hlled. Yes, a friend — but more than 
that. 

"A man, a m'ighbor, a friend — answering to all 
these names and relations in the highest sense was he 
about whose bier we sadly gather this solemn hour. 

"But he was, with all these ami beyond all these, 
our distinguished fellow citizen — one of the men of 
whom our city is justly proud. 

"Ordinarily the near relatives and a few personal 
friends comprise the 'mourners' at a funeral. But the 
(lis]HMisation Avhicli brings us together in this sacred 
place touches the whole community and projects its 
sombre shadow into many other communities where 
men and women will grieve as we grieve, and feel and 
endeavor to measure their great loss as we feel and 
endeavor to measure our loss to-day. 

"Widely kn<iwn by his relations to journalism and 
by his literary work, and highly esteemed wherever 
known, the death of John F. Meginness will create 



JOHN F. MEGINNESS. 29 

ti feeling- of personal bereavement, not only in this 
city and county, Avhere bis friends are nnnibered by 
thousands, but in all parts of the state as well, while 
at the Capital of the nation many will mourn his de- 
parture. 

"Unobtrusive, without ost(4itation, never self-seek- 
ing, never elainiing p(ditieal position or honor as a 
reward for service rendered to principle or person or 
party, he made a unique jdace for himself and filled 
that place with such distinguished ability and yet 
with such absence of self-appreciation which often) 
blossoms into lu-ide and fruits into arrogance^ — that 
his steadily growing power — his constantly widening 
intluence in the field he chose tO' cultivate, as editor, 
as correspondent and as historian, he awakened no 
animosity born of partisan antagouisni, but won the 
admiration and commanded the respect even of party 
foes. 

"And yet he was not a weak man or a weak writer, 
pliant or compromising. His was a vigorous pen, a 
strong pen, a keen pen, against what he believed to 
be Avrong, a trenchant pen, cutting to the very mar- 
row, but withal and always a kind pen, a generous 
pen, a pen that freely accorded merit where it was 
found, though not on the side of the question he ad- 
vocated. 

"John F. Meginness was an educated man in the 
best sense of that often misunderstood term, largely 
self-educated, but well educated nevertheless. The 
faculties of mind and heart drawn out, enlarged, ex- 
panded ahmg such lines of thought as brought har- 
monious co-rqxn-ation of the mental and moral 
powers, so that his profouadest intellections were al- 



30 IN MEMORY OF 



waA>. strnii^ly ethical, expressed the best aud highest 
tvpe of culture. 

"No man can read what he has written, whether 
in ephemeral newspaper correspondence, or in con- 
cisely wrought eilitorials, or in the wider and more 
difficult realm of history, and u«n be deeply impressed 
with the conviction that in those arts of composition 
which arrest attention, and awaken thought, and stir, 
the emotions and stimulate the imagination, making 
reading a delight by what it brings, he was indeed a 
master. 

"John F. Megiuness was an untisually intelligent 
man. He was not only conversant with subjects of 
practical aud general interest which come into the 
daily life of the community, but he made exctirsions, 
as writers of the seventeenth aud eighteenth century 
would express it, into nearly all realms that allure a 
mind aleit to its opporttmities and disjjosed to in- 
vestigate for itself. While in general literature, 
sacred aud secular, in science, in art, in sociology, 
and in the various economics which find place or 
utility in organized society, he would not have 
reckoned himself an expert, yet in accurate, definite 
knowledge in all these departments he was far be- 
yond the average literary mau, aud in the sphere in 
which he selected to 4abor for posterity,' to express 
li in his own i)hrase, he easily ranked among the very 
best. 

"Diligent, studious, patient, painstaking to the 
last degree, untiring, insatiable in his search for the 
exact truth, not content until he knew personally by 
actual contact with the facts he recorded, his his- 
toric^s will become more aud more autimritative. 



JOHN F. MEGINNESS. 31 

more and more valuable as the years go by, forming 
the solid, abiding fonndation upon which shall be 
built an enduring fame. 

"John F. Meginness was a remarkably sagacious 
man. I do not use this term in the sense of shrewd- 
ness, because that implies qualities of mind, or rather 
of heart, by which he was not characterized. Eather 
in the sense of that far-sighted wisdom which, from 
various knowledges acquired from various sources, 
only slightly related, might be deduced the right 
conclusion. He was a fair man, hence the bias of 
narrow prejudice did not obscure his vision, nor warp 
his judgment. 

"He studied men and measures as well as things. 
He knew the public histoiT of a large proportion of 
the public men of his day and the personal life of 
many of them. He studied the probable motives that 
actuated men in public station with a mind open to 
receive the truth, and as a consequence he exhibited 
rare wisdom in reading character. 

"He knew more professional men, lawyers, doctors, 
preachers, teachers, literary men than almost any 
other man of my acquaintance. There was hardly a 
man whose achievements were of any value to the 
world in Central Pennsylvania with whose history 
and work he was not familiar, and in frequent conver- 
sations I observed that he spoke of the better side of 
their life and work, manifesting a kindly charity 
which seemed to cover up and forget their faults and 
foibles and to hold in memory onh' their virtues and 
the good they ha<T done. 

"J(din F. Meginness was a broad-minded, generous- 
hearted man. Magnanimous is a better word because 



32 IN MEMORY OF 



it better expresses what I repird as the most oon- 
spienoiis trait in his character. 

"Etymolooically it means soiil-greatness; freedom 
from petty, mean and ignoble motives and feelings, 
and tilh^d with gcMienms impnlses whicli find scope in 
cliivnlrons thinight and deed. If (me virtne more 
than any otlier (htminated the life of onr departed 
friend it was a chivalrons magnanimity whiclisonght 
expression always toward all ab<mt liim in charitable 
words and brotherly acts. 

"In an acquaintance grcswing more intimate and 
personal with tln^ lapse of years, and stretching 
across a quarter of a century, including frequent con- 
versations upon all current topics, and upon all ques- 
tions which touch the life and wo'aI of the commu- 
nity and the state, an<l upon ])ublic measures and 
men ( oming int(> review by their relation to the pub- 
lic good, I do not recall that the lips of J(din F. Me- 
ginness ever framed intO' speech one liarsli or unkind 
W(jrd concerning any human being. 

''The noble man Avhose sudden de])ar-ture we all so 
sincerely mourn did not leave large accumulations 
of money to his wife and children, but he left that 
which is far bettta'. The word of God asserts that 
'a g(fod name is rather to be chosen than great 
richc^s.' 

"You whose hearts are broken to-day and whose 
home is desolate because one who filled heart and 
home with the light and cheer and love of a provi- 
dent husband and a tender father has gone out from 
your sight and embrace, have the rich heritage of an 
honored name. In the community where he was 
best known; in the city where he spent the larger 



JOHN F. MEGINNESS. 33 

part of a loiij^' and useful life, no name is more honor- 
ed, more eminent for those manly virtues which, 
standing for nobility of character, are the proudest 
and most precicms legacy of wife and children, than 
the name of John F. Meffinness." 



ADDRESS BY C. LA RUE MUNSON, ESQ. 

0. La Rue Munson, Esq., delivered a beautiful 
eulogy. He had known the deceased for many years. 
When the speaker first came to this city a boy, he 
had occasion to visit the editorial room in which Mr. 
Meginness was engaged in work. He had the 
natural fear of the editor, a great personage, and he 
approached him with mingled feelings. The hearty 
greeting accorded him remained a bright spot in 
memory ever since and the advice and help he receiv- 
ed was of vast benefit. He referred to the deceased 
as a historian and a journalist and of the great work 
he had accomplished in life without one thought of 
pecuniary gain. He was truly working for future 
generations and his is a name that will never be for- 
jrotten. 



34 IN MEMORY OF 



PROnEEDINGH (^F TITE rUBLIO MEETINC^ 



Following the fiineral ceremonies at the chnrch a 
public meeting was held at the City Hall. J. J. Gal- 
braitli was chosen chairman and T. P. Whaley 
secretai*;v\ 

The fi^llowing resolutions were adopted: 

Whereas, In view of the loss that we, as members of the jour- 
nalistic profession, have sustained by the decease of our friend 
and associate, John F. Meginness, and' of the still heavier loss 
sustained by those who were nearest and dearest to him, be it 

Resolved, That it is but a just tribute toi the memory of the 
departed to say that in regretting his sudden removal from our 
midst we mourn for one who was in every way worthy of our 
respect and regard; and 

Resolved, That in the death of John F. Meginness the news- 
paper profession loses a foremost member; we, his associates in 
that profession, a brother who was ever ready to proffer the hand 
of assistance and to impart advice that long experience made ripe 
with wisdom; a friend and companion who was dear to us all; 
the community a citizen whose upright and noble life was a 
standard of emulation to his fellows; and 

Resolved, That we testify to his indefatigable labors as a his~ 
torian, by which he leaves posterity a priceless legacy, an appre- 
ciation of which must become the stronger as time rolls on; and 

Resolved, That we deeply sympathize with the venerable widow 
of our departed associate, and all other members of the bereaved 
family. 



REMARKS BY E. E. PERSON. 

"It is written that ^Peace hath her victories no less 
than war.' It is just as beautifully, just as impres- 
sively true that peace has her heroes no less than war. 
To-day we mourn one of these. 

"By the death of Mr. Meginness the Nestor of news- 
paperdom in the West Branch Valley has been re- 



JOHN F. MEGINNESS. 35 

moved; there lias gone from anions; us a mau avIio, 
by his years of hibor as a historian, had long since 
becoue a public benefactor, and b}^ this same cease- 
less toil has made for himself a name that is indelibly 
inscribed upon the scroll of time, to be honored and 
l>raised by future generations. 

"But to-day I am especially desirous of paying a 
word of tribute to the memory of Mr. Meginness as a 
friend — as a friend and adviser of the young newspa- 
})er men. In liim, as have the other young men of the 
l)rofession, 1 often found a tutor whose advice was 
golden; always given with that carefulness of de- 
tail and kindliness of spirit that characterizes a 
father when impai'ting knowledge to his son. 

"Upon the grave of John F. Meginness no tear 
will fall freighted with keener sorrow than that of 
the young newspaper man; upon the tablet of noi 
memory will there be engraved a sweeter remem- 
brance thiin is cherished in the hearts of the 'boys' 
\x\ui, having taken up the i)rofessi<m which he himself 
had diguitied and elevated, he stood ever ready to 
help oni to success." 



REMARKS BY J. J. GALBRAITH. 

"In meeting to-da}- to give some expression to our 
grief o^'er the death and our regard for the memory 
of John F. Meginness, we feel that we are called upon 
to mourn the departure of a leading citizen as well 
as an able journalist and historian. 

"Mr. Meginness had been an active and vital part 
of the life and progress of Williamsport for 30 years. 
His residence here was co-equal with the life of daily 



36 IN MEMORY OF 



journalism iu the city. For some time past the pro- 
ject has been under consideratiou of haAdng a nieet- 
ino; of the men who were identified with the first daily 
papers of the city and he was prominently recogniz- 
ed in that number. 

"To-day we mourn over his almovst tragic death. 
We miss him as a citizen; we miss him as a journal- 
ist; we especially miss him as a friend. 

"In this community the words are eminently true 
that were spoken of Hamilton: 'His was a life in 
which all had an interest.' 

"It was not alone because he was a journalist and 
historian that he was held in such high rei3ute, — 
there are many journalists and historians, — but it is 
because in these capacities and in all other respects^ 
he was faithful, earnest and ever true to duty. He 
never spared himself. He was a thoroughly con- 
sci(Mitious laborer. He would allow no poor manu- 
script to pass through his hands. I have known him 
to laboriously transcribe lengthy articles in order 
that accuracy, which was with him such an import- 
ant matter, might be assured. He would repeatedly 
rewrite many of his own productions until he could 
get them to suit his rigid requirements. 

"He possessed a resolute character. He was not 
easily daunted. The same indomitable spirit that 
sustained him when he marched as a bo}^, bearing 
his musket, from Vera Cruz to the capital of the 
M(mtezumas, animated him when facing every great 
difficulty which confronted him throughout life. 

"No man long retains a higher place among his 
professional contemporaries than he is entitled to, 
and Mr. Meginness did not have to die before obtain- 



JOHN F. MEGINNESS. 37 

iuo' ovnerous ackuowledgment of his sterliii<^' quali- 
ties from the newspaper men who knew him best. 

"He was a true journalist, and the journalist is the 
highest type of public man. A man who fully 
measures up to the best standard in this sphere has 
attained to exalted dignity, honor and usefulness. 

"Vei^ few among those who are prone to speak 
slightingly of editors have any conception of the high 
type of integrity that obtains with the best class of 
journalists. The men of no other calling have their 
professional integTity so often or so severely subject- 
ed to test. 

"The world may well be congratulated that the 
majority of editors are so much truer men than they 
are deemed to be by unthinking people. 

"We all feel deeply the death of our friend. We 
recognize, however, the stern truth that 'death has 
passed upon all.' It must be a fact that the death of 
an individual is intended by the Supreme Director 
of events not only to remind surviving friends and 
associates that death will also be their portion, but 
to stimulate tliem to earnest and habitual striving in 
the direction of making their lives effective in their 
own behalf as well as instrumental in helping up- 
ward all the rest of humanity. 

"The death of our friends has an influence upon 
us as great if not greater than that of their lives. 
The closer the friendship between us has been, the 
more marked to us is the vacancy caused by its final 
severance. 

"As each friend is cut down by our side we are led 
to recall the time we have spent together and to in- 
dulge in vain regrets that we did not do more while 



IN MEMOEY OF 



the opportunity was ours to lighten and brighten the 
life of the departed. 

"All that remains possible for us is to truly cherish 
the memory of the one that has gone, and to profit as 
best we may from whatever there was in such life 
and character capable of yielding to us good." 



REMARKS BY H. H. RUTTER. 

H(m. H. II. lUitter, editor of the Muucy Dvinocidt, 
said that he held the deceased in the highest esteem. 
He had got to know him well in Mr. Meginness' 
search after historical data, in which quest the 
speaker had been able to render some little assist- 
ance. 



REMARKS BY M. J. BERNAUER. 

M. J. Bernauer, of the Oammal Pioneer, expressed 
himself as knowing Mr. Meginness only by reputa- 
tion. He came to Williamsport to hear more of the 
life-work of the beloved editor and historian, and 
was glad that he had done so. 



REMARKS BY DIETRICK LAMADE. 

"In paying tribute to the memory of John F. Me- 
ginness I can find no language that conveys the high 
regard in which I held him. In his death every news- 
paper man in the city has lost a friend — a friend the 
like of whom is found but once in a lifetime. The 
remembrance of him shall be cherished on memory's 
fondest page, and his good deeds are most worthy 
examples of emulation. 



JOHN F. MEGINNESS. 39 

"During the quarter of a century that I have 
known Mr. Meginness I learned to esteem him as a 
friend whose advice was a handmaiden to success, 
and whose words were a^ sure passport over untried 
paths. His own ripe experience has on countless oc- 
casions proven of vast benefit to me. It was that un- 
selfish, neighborly, indeed I might say fatherly trait, 
that readiness to extend a helping hand, that made 
of Mr. Meginness a friend of all who sought his 
counsel. 

"^'SHiile I do remember in our early history, wiien 
lielping friends were needed, his encouragement shed 
a gleam of light along a rugged pathway and his in- 
terest in the welfare of our paper and ourselves made 
smooth many of the rough places in the way. His 
suggestions, his advice, his opinions, given with that 
generosity that always characterized him, proved 
fruitful with good results. I have known him to 
stop in his own work to write for us an article which 
in his keen discernment and ripe judgment he saw 
was needed. 

"He seemed always to regard his own interests as 
secondary in his unselfish desire to help others, and 
the amount of kindness shown his associates in the 
journalistic profession is beyond measurement. This 
alone is a monument of endearment that shall be per- 
petuated in the hearts of his late fellow workers until 
they, too, have followed him into the great beyond." 



REMARKS BY F. E. MANSON. 

"I would like to pay my humble tribute to Mr. Me- 
ginness as a man, a journalist and a historian. As a 
man he ijossessed an abundance of those qualities 



40 IN MEMORY OF 



which compel recognitiou from all who admire man- 
liness. He was straightforw^ard, possessed single- 
ness of purpose, was regardful of the rights of others 
and of his obligations to his fellow-men and to 
society in general; was unselfish, generous to a 
fault, and was happiest when he was instrumental in 
making others happy. As a journalist he was ever 
mindful of the duty the profession owes to the pub- 
lic, which spun-ed him onward to the undertakings 
that he would otherwise have avoided. In all pro- 
fessional tasks he possessed the courage of his con- 
victions, which gave force to his utterances and 
brought results. His mind and pen never fell be- 
hind the rapidly ensuing events and changing condi- 
tions, and his advice to the young men of the profes- 
sion was always strictly in accordance with the de- 
mands of the times, and, fortified by abundant ex- 
perience, together with complete knowledge of pres- 
ent affairs, was always most valuable. As a histor- 
ian Mr. Meginness must ever be credited with having 
rescued from probable oblivion the story of the set- 
tlement, early events transpiring in, and progress of 
this West Branch Valley; and of having preserved in 
a comprehensive and authoritative form an account 
that will live through and keenly interest many suc- 
ceeding generations. From a literary standpoint Mr. 
Meginness' historical works will always receive com- 
niL-ndationi. 

"As a man, a journalist and a historiam, Mr. Megin- 
ness will live with us for many years to come, not in 
the flesh, it is true, but in the influences which he will 
continue to exert upon us." 



JOHN F. MEGINNESS. 41 

REMARKS BY J. W. SWEELY. 

"There is little that I or any of us here can sa}^ or 
do that will add to the many deserved tributes that 
have heen ])ai(l to John F. Meginness or enhance the 
measure of his fain(\ I do want to say, however, 
that I believe his work m better appreciated by the 
p(M)ple than we may think, and, as the years go by, 
and its im])<)rtance becomes better conix>rehended, 
lliis appreciation will increase. As Victor Hugo 
says, 'The i-aiu effaces, the grass hides;' but no 
t(jmbstone to John F. Meginness can ever be erected 
from which the rain of oblivion will efface or the 
grass of negl(M-t hide the fame of which his imper- 
ishable and useful local history is the foundation. It 
is only natural that strong men are never quite fully 
appreciated in their own time. Cromwell's early 
biographers doubted whether he was not the great- 
est scoundrel in Fngland, ami now John Morley, his 
laicst bicfgrajdier, is making him (mt a saint and his 
revolution and reformation the salvation of the free- 
dom of the English-speaking peoples. 

"Mr. Meginness and his work are appreciated, as 
the profound regret for his departure, shown by his 
fellow newspaper men and this community, testify, 
lie was a good man, a ])ure man, an h(tnest man, a 
force of great power to his generation, and the world 
is better because he lived in it. I consider it a high 
honor that I could call him my friend — because he 
was one who took a real and useful interest in his 
fi'iends.'' 

REMARKS BY O. S. BROWN. 

"Through a period of a quarter of a century have I 
known the late John F. Meginness, and all that has 



42 IN MEMORY OF 



been iitterod re.naidini;' liini, both here and at the edi- 
fice we ha\'e just left, I can most heartily endorse. I, 
as an employer, can readily appreciate such a man as 
John F. Meginness. He was capable, of unbounded 
capacity and extreme newspa.per activity. As a. le- 
porter, editor and a man he was careful to detail, 
conscientious, scrupulously neat in phrase and point. 
He neglected nothing. He was gifted with almost a 
second sight, so clear and penetrating was his view 
of coming events. His forecasts were seldom re- 
versed by facts, unless his pen had tripped some 
scheme concocted for some one's private gain and 
not public good. His pen was a terror to the evil, a 
blessing to the pure. To you of a fraternity whose 
works are known to the public only by their results, 
T can say of John F. Meginness that which none out- 
s;id(» of your profession can as readily appreciate^ — he 
"was a safe man. Once define a policy and you could 
tru»t his pen for the rest. Personally I feel his loss." 



REMARKS BY W. P. CLARKE. 

"There is doubtless no one in the newsxiaper pro- 
fession in this county who has not long since recog- 
nized in John F. Meginness a leader in the particular 
lines of work which he followed. He was the man of 
men to whom the newspaper man could turn and feel 
assured in doing so that the information, the advice 
was freely given. Kind, generous, ever ready to as- 
sist, he was the friend of everybody and never more 
happy than when doing something to assist another. 

"He was thoroughly unselfish, and from his boy- 
hood (lays lived not for himself but for others^ As a 



JOHN F. MEGINNESS. 43 

youth he devoted himself to his country and joined 
her forces in Mexico, later in public positions, in the 
civil war, in his journalistic experiences and his his- 
torical work there was a sinking of self and a labor- 
ing for the public good. 

"We who knew him appreciated him and appreciat- 
ed the works which he left as a legacy to posterity. 
But those who knew him can never appreciate him as 
will the generations who can never know him but 
know of him through his works. 

"Tireless, energetic, never knowing absolute fail- 
ure, he spent hours, days among the musty papers in 
the vaults of the court house, and tbe time-Avorn and 
faded pages in its vaults, often to find that what he 
was tracing was valueless and datai desired must be 
searched for in some other quarter. Disappointed 
but not disheartened, another start is made and the 
goal eventually reached. Only one who has followed 
such researches can know the trials, disappointments, 
hard labor which his work entailed. 

"Though he has left rich historical volumes behind 
him, he has also left a wealth of manuscrii)ts, clip- 
pings and data for other works which, had life been 
spaTed him, he would have given us in finished 
volumes. 

"It seemed a fitting though a sad ending to this 
busy life that it should close as it did. His chief de- 
sire in recent months was to live to celebrate his gold- 
en wedding. This accomplished, he wcmld be ready 
to go. But a few weeks ago we assisted in that cele- 
bration and remember still the pleasure with which 
be and his estimable wife received our congratula- 
tions. The day was over, but another duty remained 



44 IN MEMORY OF 



to make it complete — the preparing of tlie 'Golden 
Wedding Book.' At last it is done and, with happi- 
ness written on his countenance, he hurries home to 
give it to his family. It is the crowning act of the 
golden wedding, and as he hands it to them, with his 
finger on its title page, his marriage certificate, the 
angel of death called him awav. May it find all of us 
as ready to answer the summons." 



REMARKS BY T. P. WHALEY. 

"I wish to say but one word regarding appreciation. 
Much has been said of the appreciation in which both 
the public and the indiyidual hold the late John F. 
Meginness, but no reference has yet been made to the 
appreciation he felt for the work done under his direc- 
tion. The only time in which I was associated with 
him in the slightest degree in infonnation gathering 
was while he Ayas compiling a history of this co'unty. 
1 was asked by him to secure some data on industries, 
lie gaye me a week in which to complete the work. In 
24 hours, with the aid of my bicycle, I was enabled to 
cover considerable territorj^, gather and deliver my 
information. For this Avork he presented me with 
two of his books. I was well repaid. I have read and 
enjoyed them and they occupy a choice position in m}^ 
lilrary. He has giyen me good advice and I hope 
that I have profited by it." 



REMARKS BY J. F. GOOD. 

J. F. Good, of IJeuoyo, said that he was a boyhood 
friend of Mr. Meginness, having been born in an ad- 
joining township in Lancaster Oounty. They giCAv to 
maidiood t<jgether and had always been great friends. 



JOHN F. MEGINNESS. 45 

REMARKS BY FEED M. LAMADE. 

^'Mr. Chairuian and Gentlemen: When on last 
Saturday eveuing- the soul of that veteran journalist 
and historian, John F. Meginness, took its flight this 
community especially, and in fact the entire state of 
Pennsylvania, sustained an irreparable loss and the 
newspaper makers a true friend and loyal counsellor. 
As a journalist Mr. Meginness adorned and dignified 
the profession. At no time in his long newspaper 
career did he stoop to anything undignified or un- 
gentlemanly. Even had he ever been requested (and 
what writer or editor has not?) to pen anything that 
would reflect either on his profession or on the publi- 
cation on which he was engaged, it wcnild have been 
beneath his character and integrit}^ to have even as- 
sented to such publication, much less to have an' ac- 
tive part in the preparation of anything beneath his 
idea of what should appear in public print. His idea 
of a good newspaper was one that would elevate, en- 
lighten and instruct. He wanted cleanliness. A 
thing that was not clean and wholesome for his 
readers was not fit for the columns which he prepared. 
His cheerfulness at all times to the younger news- 
paper men with whom he came in contact will never 
be forgotten by the newspaper fraternity in this re- 
gion, and his kind and sympathetic words of encour- 
agement to many a young man has softened more 
than once the hard road of adversity, and his good ad- 
vice turned that same road in a prosperous and suc- 
cessful direction." 

REMARKS BY C. K. GEDDES, ESQ. 

Charles K. Geddes, Esq., testified to the integrity 
and the intellectual and moral character of Mr. Me- 



46 IN MEMORY OF 



ginness, whom he had known for 30 years. It was 
thron<;h the reading of the historical works of the de- 
ceased that the speaker was led to locate in Williams- 
port. He concluded by prophesying that a monu- 
ment would some day be erected by the people of Ly- 
coming County to the memory of Mr. Meginuess. 



REMARKS BY W. W. CHAMPION, ESQ. 

W. W. Oiampion, Esq., said that the work perform- 
ed by Meginness as a historian was of inestimable 
value to the people of this county. He recommended 
that an effort be made to preserve intact the library 
collected by Mr. Meginness. He said the books 
wiitten by the deceased, and especially the informa- 
tion gathered and as yet unpublished, was too valu- 
able to be lost and should be so placed that future 
local writers would have free access to them. 



HE LOVED "THE BOYS." 

John Budd said: "It was Mr. Meginness' custom, 
when visiting newspaper offices, to inquire after 'all 
the boys.' 

"He was our friend, 

'Mid greater aims 

And mighty deeds, 

Grant space to this one thought. 

"We freely lend 

Both mind and voice 

In tribute meet to memory sweet 

Of him. who loved 

'The boys.' " 



JOHN F. MEGINNESS. 47 



PKESS COMMENTS. 



[From Grit, Williamsport, Pa., Nov. 12, 1899.] 

It is sad mews that Grit conveys to its readers, this 
morning in the annonncement of the sudden death 
last evening of John F. Meginness; peculiarly sad in 
view of the recent happy celebration by him and his 
estimable wife of the fiftieth anniversary of their wed- 
ding, in which so many friends and acquaintances 
participated. And it is strangely co-incident with 
this happy event that Mr. Meginness should expire 
with his finger on the title page of a newly-bound 
volume containing the letters of congratulation and 
regret received on that occasion, which gave him so 
much satisfaction. 

It is almost impossible to believe that one apparent- 
ly so robust and vigorous should be so suddenly cut 
off; and the suddenness of the sad event will shock 
thousands of people who have for many years known 
and respected Mr. Meginness as a man, esteemed him 
as a journalist, and extolled him as a historian. His 
life work, a large part of which was done in the hope 
of increasing the knowledge of his fellow men, stands 
as a monument to perseverance, enterprise and en- 
ergy without which he conld not have overcome the 
obstacles he did. His work was well done, and, 
mingled with the sorrow which his death will cause, 
will be sincere praise for the accomplishments which 
will perpetuate his name. 



48 IN MEMORY OF 



[From the Gazette and BuUetin, Williamsport, Pa., Nov. 13, 1899.] 

Mr. John F. Meginness, who less than three weeks 
ago celebrated with such interestinig ceremonies his 
golden wedding anniversary, passed suddenly from 
eartlily joys and scfrrow^s on Saturday night last. 
While congratulations upon the happy anniyersary 
were still reaching him, his earthly career was 
abruptly closed. 

His death, which under any circumstances would 
have been deplorcMl by all who knew him, lias by rea- 
son of its tragic suddenness fallen like a thuuder-clap 
upon the public. 

lie had lived beyond the scriptural three-score and 
ten limit, and long as was his life, it was as busy as 
it was extended. Not many fully realized what a 
strong character has been going in and out among us. 
He was a man of unusual energy, industry and appli- 
cation. He was most persistent and indefatigable in 
the pursuit of any work in which he was engaged. As 
a journalist he displayed great zeal, care and 
thoroughness. It was a matter of constant thought 
with him never to keep printers waiting for copy. 
Well known as he was for his historical labors, very 
few were aware of the vast amount of work which he 
performed in the ccdlection of the materials for his 
historical iiublications. He deemed nothing too dif- 
ficult to be accomplished in this line. 

He took great pride in Williamsport and was ever 
read}' to do anything within his power to advance the 
city's interests. His death removes from her popu- 
lation a citizen who aided materiailly in extending her 
good name and to whom she owed a debt of gratitude 
of no small dimensions. 



JOHN F. MEGINNESS. 49 

There will be genuine mourning over his taking off. 
That mourning will not be confined to this city, nor 
even to this state. The journialists of William sport 
will deeply regret the dispensati(m that will take 
from them his presence and the benignant and inspir- 
ing influence of his personality. 

The Gazette and Bulletin, whose editorial columns 
he so long and so ca])ably manag(Ml, desires to pay a 
tender tribute to his memory and to offer its sincere 
sympathy and consolation to his deeply afflicted fami- 
ly and kindred. They have the comforting reflection 
that throughout his long and active career he never 
failed to "(^uit him like a man." 



[From The Sun, Williamsport, Pa., Nov. 13, 1899.] 

The death of John F. Meginness will come with a 
greater shock to none outside his family than his local 
newspaper contemporaries, by whom his life-work 
was, for obvious reasons, intelligently appreciated 
and his warm and genial personality understood. 
His death is a loss to the entire community, and is 
particularly pathetic in view of the recent celebra- 
tion of his golden wedding, still fresh in the public 
mind, when he looked to me not a whit older than at 
any time these five years past. As a citizen, Mr. Me- 
ginness enjoyed a character above reproach; as an 
editor and historian, his work speaks for itself and 
will continue to speak when all now living are silent. 

The friendly interest which he exhibited toward the 
younger newspaper men of this city and valley, the 
concern which he felt in their work and welfare, of 
which I am pleased to say I have had personal knowl- 



)0 IN MEMOEY OF 



edge during my acquaintance of ten years with him, 
was a most estimable trait of his unselfish character. 

What impressed me most about Mr, Megiuness as 
an editor and a writer was his prodigious industry 
and lii« uncompromising desire and insistence for ac- 
curacy. He was an indefatigable worker and, in his 
historical researches, as he once told me, had read 
pages of old, dr^^, musty archives in our court house 
here, and in fact in all the county seats of the West 
Branch Valley, as well as at the state capitol, in order 
to secure historical information or verify a fact which, 
when written out in his work, would perhaps not oc- 
cupy more than four or five lines. A loose statement 
or an uncertain one, unverified, when susceptible of 
proof, was his special detestation, and this is one 
reason why his local historical work is so important 
and so valuable. 

Although retired from active journalistic work in 
leceut years, his pen was never idle, and he retained 
to the end that interest in journalism which is pecu- 
liar to all newspaper men. Mr. Meginness, I know, 
had a, lively appreciatiom of the increased exactions 
( (f UK fdern j ( jurnalism, and realized that conservatism, 
by reason of the fierce competition that has developed 
and the rapidity with which events now crowd upon 
each other, has yielded in degree to a prescience that 
must sacrifice something to accuracy. "The editor of 
to-day," he once said to me, "must not only know 
what happens to-day; he must know more: he must 
be able to look ahead and know what is going to Imp- 
pen to-morrow." This paradox shows how keenly he 
perceived the change that progress has wrought in 
the uns])aring and nerve-grinding demands of the ]5ro- 
f ession he loved so well. 



JOHN F. MEGINNESS. 51 

Mr. Meginness, besides his tireless energy and in- 
(Instiy, possessed a vigorous, concise style, and a com- 
])reliensive grasp' of Ids subjects apparent in the 
many details of his historical work. He abhorred 
anything sensational or artificial, and his diction 
was as rugged as his own sturdy self, dominated by 
a solid vS( (jtcli tenacity of intuitive direction, as his 
vigorous body was dominated by the sound Scotch 
blood which coursed through it and of which he was 
so proud. A man of deep convictions, formed after 
careful and mature deliberation, he could generally 
be depended upon to assert and maintain them with 
all the argumentative vigor of which he was ca])nble, 
regardless of results; and nobody can help but ad- 
mire that kind of a nian. Removed by his semi-re- 
tirement of later years from the acrimonies and amen- 
ities of the editorial harness, he occupied a unique po- 
sition in this city — admired b}^ his contemporaries, 
of whose interests he was always so thoughtful, and 
esteemed by the whole community for his beautiful 
and simple life, as well as his valuable contribution'? 
to the local historj^ of the valley, which will be his 
enduring monument. He was one of our foremost 
citizens, and in accordance with his usefulness and 
the real permanent value of the services of his life as 
they affect the community in which he lived, was, I 
feel safe in saying, the most prominent local force of 
his generation. 

JAMES W. SWEELY. 
[From The Eveuinij News, Williamsport, Pa., Nov. 13, 1899.] 

John F. Meginness is dead. A busy, useful life has 
calmly and peacefully closed. The hand which was 
so well known throusihout the state and which was 



r)2 IN MEMORY OF 

knoAvn to everybody in Lycoming County, has laid 
down its pen for the hist time and has put it away for- 
ever. 

John F. Meginness is dead. Beloved by all Avho 
knew him, respected by everybody, at enmity with 
none, he has passed from among us. 

For more than 30 years Mr. Meginness has been 
prominently identified w^ith the journalism of this 
city and has been its chief representative in the liter- 
ary field. He occupied a place which was peculiar- 
ly his own, and his researches gave him a most 
thorough acquaintance with the early history and 
people of this locality. He was a walking encyclo- 
pedia of local historj^ and was ever ready to impart 
his knowledge to those who sought it. 

The works which his ready pen has left contain all 
that is known of the early history of the West Branch 
Valley and will live as books of reference long after 
those who knew him in his lifetime have joined him 
in the great beyond. He has builded his own great- 
est monument w ith his pen and has written his name 
indelibly acrcKSs the AVest Branch Valley, where fu- 
ture generations who knew him not cannot but see it. 

The author of many books of history, local to this 
and other idaces, it was his oft-repeated wish that he 
might be able to live to write for his descendants the 
st(fry of the celebraticm of the golden wedding of him- 
self and Mrs. Meginness. His Avish was gratified. 
The anniversary Avas celebrated October 25 last, and 
Mr. Meginness returned from Sunbury Saturday 
night, bearing the book Avhich the binder had that 
day delivered to him. He Avent to his home, opened 
the iiackage and Avith his finger upon his marriage 



JOHN F. MEGINNESS. 



53 



certificate, the title page of this, his last work, his 
life weut out. 

His work was done, its culmination was reached, 
the volume he had wished to live to write was com- 
pleted, he was ready to go, and with his going Wil- 
liamsport lost a citizen whose place will be difrtcult 
to fill, one who will be greatly missed. 



[From The Pennsylvania Sfethodist.] 

On Satur<lay afternoon last Mr. John F. Meginness, 
(>f Williamsport, was in Harrisburg, and as was his 
wont ])aid a visit to the Book Rooms, where he was al- 
ways a welcome caller. Then, despite his more than 
three-score years and tenj he was in health, his eye 
was bright, his step firm, his spirit joyous, and his 
conversation full of interest. He bought several 
books, talked of the recent celebration of the 50th an- 
niversary of his marriage, and left Harrisburg at 4 
o'clock, aft(H' having bidden what proved to be his 
last g(((>d-bye to a number of old friends. 

That evening, while examining an account of the 
golden w^edding ceremonies which had been publish- 
ed, he suddenly died at his residence. The shock is a 
gevere one, for to know John F. Meginness was to ad- 
mire and love him. He was born 72 years ago In the 
toAVUship of Golerain, Lancaster County. He worked 
on his father's farm during the earlier years if his 
life, had not many advantages of education, but had 
naturally a strong and active brain. He possessed a 
martial spirit and served in the regular army during 
the Mexican War. Upon his return from that strug- 
gle, and after his honorable discharge from the 
United States service, he settled in Lycoming County, 



54 IN MEMORY OF 



where he was maiTied and for more than fifty years 
had been an honored resident of that section of 
Peninsylvania, 

WheUf the Phihidelphia Pnss was started in 185S 
by the late Colonel John W. Forney, Mr. Meginness 
became a regular contributor to that paper over the 
signature of "John of Lancaster." And only on Sat- 
urday in a pleasant and jocular manner he told the 
writer how he came to use that nom de plume. The 
late William (\ Tobey was a celebrated war corre- 
spondent of the X<)>-t]t AiDcricaii and other Philadel- 
phia i)apers during the Mexican war over the signa- 
ture of "John of York." He also published a paper 
in the City of Mexico during its occupancy by the 
American troops. Mr. Meginness was a great friend 
of Mr. Tobey's, and the idea suggested itself that as 
there had been a "John of York" in newspaper cir- 
cles, a "John of Lancaster" was eminently appropri- 
ate. Mr. Meginness- contributions to the rnss al- 
ways commanded much attention and were frequent- 
13^ republished in other papers. 

For a number of years he had been editor-in-chief 
of the AVilliamsport Gazette and Bulletin, and gave 
that paper a position of importance among the jour- 
nals of Pennsylvania. Of late years he had been en- 
gaged in the compilation and publication of many 
works, bibliographical and otherwise. But a few 
months ago he finished a history of the State of Dela- 
ware, and was engaged to prepare one on Lancaster 
County, which is in contemplation. His Avork on the 
Lycoming Count}' Centennial in 1895 is a standard 
authorit}^ He was painstaking and careful, wrote 
with ease and fluency, and weighed well all his 



JOHN F. MEGINNESS. 55 

sources of information before giviuo- them xmblicit}-. 

But a few days ago he commemorated the fiftieth 
anniversary of his marriage, whicli was made the oc- 
casion of a very pleasant event by his okl friends and 
neighbors. A large number gathered at his place of 
residence, and his aged wife and himself were the 
recipients of many happy remembrances. 

John F. Meginness was an honest man and a de- 
vout believer in the Christian religion. He is gone. 
The condolence of many friends all over the state will 
be freely extended his stricken and bereaved wife and 
family. During seven 3^ears of pastoral service in 
Williamsport the writer found him always the same 
kind, genial, accommodating, brotherly brother, and 
feels deeply the loss sustained. Only four or five 
hours could have elapsed between his visit to the 
Book Rooms and his departure for his eternal home. 
Surely "in the midst of life we are in death." "After 
life's fitful fever he sleeps well." Vale et vale to the 
sturdy old editor, correspondent and bibliographer. 



[From The Tvlegmph, Harrisburg, Nov. 13, 1899.] 

It may be said of Jolin F. Meginness, the veteran 
journalist and historian, wlio passed away in Wil- 
liamsport on Saturday night, that he died in the har- 
ness. Had lie lived many more years before laying 
down life's burden, he would not have considered his 
life work ended. He was a most indefatigable work- 
er, and always for the good of those whO' were in- 
terested more than himself in his work. Entering 
journalism when a young man, he received that best 
of all trainings for the active newspaper man. — the 



)6 IN MEMORY OF 



training' of a conntry printini;' office, and this splen- 
did training- showed in all tlie work of his after years. 
He was one of the moulders of public opinion in the 
West Branch region for many years, and to his credit 
be it said that he never advocated an unworthy cause 
or taught his people that might was right. lie was 
always in the right, and he plodded along year after 
year doing- his duty nobly until advancing years caus- 
ed him to retire with honors. It was his activity as 
a historian — his collection and collation of facts in 
the history of Pennsylvania affairs and families to 
which he was especially devoted. Ills historical 
works are classics, strictly accurate as to facts — 
facts gained after long and patient research, and it 
was said of him that he never quit his subject until 
he had thoroughly exhausted it, and there was noth- 
ing more to say. It is this that made his work in- 
describably valuable from a historical point of view, 
and gained for him a place among Pennsylvania his- 
torians that it will be hard to fill. It is a pleasure to 
record that in some historical matters he was so 
thorough that nothing remiains to be done, and that 
future generations will have completeness in many 
things when in search of information. The archives 
of Pennsylvania were a favorite study with Mr. Me- 
ginness, but it was not always to the written paper 
that he confined himself. lie met people, those of 
by-gone generations, and from them he learned much 
of historical value that he published for the benefit 
of posterity. That his merits were recognized is at- 
tested Ijy the high esteem in which he w^as held by 
men in all circk's of life. Best of all, he w^as beloved 
by his neighbors, those whom he met in every-day 



JOHN F. MEGINNESS. 57 

lifV, and kiKnv liim iiitinmtely. The kindly, j^entle- 
niauly soul was iiicapiable of doing an injustice to 
anybody and so he made Mends, and liaving made 
them, kept theni to the end. In his life there is an 
example for the young- men of the present day. He 
was a, good citizen, a brilliant man of his profession, 
and having lived the three-score and ten year^, he 
goes to his fathers, wept over and mourned by all 
classes. Peace is with him. 



[From The Pres.'i, Philadelphia, Nov. 16, 1899.] 

Mr. Meginness had a. notable careetr. He was born 
in Lancaster Cbunty in 1827. His earliest journal- 
istic work was on Jersey Shore papers, and after- 
ward in Illinois. In 1847 he enlisted from his native 
county of Lancaster for service in the Mexican war, 
and was present at the victorious entry of the Ameri- 
can army into the Oit}^ of Mexico. Subsequently he 
taught school in Lycoming County, and from 1809 to 
1889 was editor of the Williamsport (iazcttc and 
JiiiJlcfin, over which journal his som, William War- 
ren Meginness, now presides. Over the nom de plume 
©f "John of Lancaster," Mr. Meginness wrote histori- 
cal and other volunrinous papers. 

Death came to this conspicuous writer at a mo- 
ment (^f complete happiness. Three weeks ago he and 
his good wife celebrated their golden wedding. Mr. 
Meginness returned home hastily late Saturday night 
with a memorial volume of the event that he had 
coinijih^l, and opening the book he proudly remarked 
to his wife, "Look at the title page." As he uttered 



58 IN INIEMORY OF 



the w<jrds lie droi)pe(l dead from heart disease. The 
]t;i,i;e to which he pointed contained tlieir marriage 
ccntiticate. 



[From The PhilmMphia BecorrJ, Nov. 13, 1899.] 

Tlie news of the death at Williamsport on Satur- 
day hist of Jolm F. Meginness, one of the oldest and 
most widely known newspaper men of Pennsylvania, 
will be read with regret. The long career of this 
veteran editor was a nsefnl and honorable one. He 
was a forcefnl and versatile writer and achieved 
j)rominence both as journalist and historian. His 
ITistory of the West Branch Valley is a valuable ad- 
dition to the annals of Pennsylvania, remarkably 
iich in details and written with marked exactness. 



[From The licportcr-Jounud, Towanda, Pa., Nov. 16, 1899.] 

The news of the death at Williamsport on Satur- 
day of John F. Meginness, one of the oldest and most 
wi<lely known newspaper men of Pennsylvania, was 
r-ead with regret by many people in this section of 
the state, particularly by those who take an interest 
in local history. 

Mr. Meginness was a veteran of the Mexican wai^ 
and held a government position during the civil war. 
He was connected with the Williamsport Gazette and 
Bullvi'm in various editorial capacities for 20 years 
continuously, until his retirement from active news- 
paper work in 1889, and contributed many articles to 
New York and Philadelphia papers over the nom de 
plume of "John of Lancaster." His "History of the 
^Vest Branch A'alley of the Susquehanna'' is the only 



JOHN F. MEGINNESS. 59 

accurate book of reference which deals with that 
region. 



[From The Gazette, Athens, Fa., Nov. 16, 1899.] 

He was one of the best known newspaper men in 
the state, a man in love with his work; and his con- 
tributions to local history will be a monument to his 
menior}^ through many succeeding generations. 



[From The Morning Tribtme, Altoona, Pa., Nov. 14, 1899.] 

Pennsylvania, journalism has been bereft of one of 
its shining lights by the death of the veteran John F. 
Meginness, who expired suddenly at his home in Wil- 
lianisport on Saturday night last. It was only a few 
weeks ago that he and his wife celebrated their gold- 
en Avedding, and it was while in the act of exhibitiug 
the "Golden Wedding Book," which he had just 
brought home from the binder, that he was stricken 
down. Mr. Meginness was a journalist of a high 
order of talent, Avliile his contributions to the history 
of Pennsylvania have been interesting and import- 
ant. He was born in 1827, so that he attained a 
good old age, carrying with him into the eternal 
world the love ajid veneration of hosts of friends. 



[From The Star-Independent, Harrisburg, Pa., Nov. 13, 1899.] 

The deaith of John F. Meginness, of Williamsport, 
historian of the West Branch Valley, and for many 
years connected with the newspaper press of that 
city, will be profoundly regretted in literary circles 
as well as by his host of personal friends aud admir- 
ers. Mr. Meginness was well known and highly es- 
teemed in this city. 



60 IN MEMORY OF 



[From The Patriuf, Hanisburg, Pa., Nov. 14, 1899.] 

The sudden death of John F. Meginness, at Wil- 
li anisport Saturday night, removes one of the veteran 
newspaper men of tlie state. As the historian of the 
West Branch A^alley, he had long enjoyed distinction. 
He was an editor for thirty -five years. On October 
25, Mr. and Mrs. Meginness celebrated their golden 
Aveddino-. 



[From The InteUigcncer, Lancaster, Pa., Nov. 13, 1899.] 

For twenty years deceased was editor of the Wil- 
Ijamspcjrt (UizvUc and BuUitin. lie has written many 
historical books, among which Avere: "The History 
of the West Branch Valley," "The Lost Sister of 
Wyoming," and the "History of Lycoming County." 



[From The Gazette, Wellsboro, Pa.] 

Mr. Meginness was one of the best known news- 
paper men in the state, a man. in love with his work, 
and his contributions to local history will be a monu- 
ment to his memory through many succeeding gener- 
ations. 



[From The Scranton Truth.] 

John F. Meginness, the journalist and historian, 
Avho died at William sport last week, was a man of 
great industry and of most gentle nature. It was my 
]ih asureto enjoy his ac(]uaintance someyears ago. He 
was greatly interested in the early life of the Wyom- 
ing and LackaAvanna Valleys, and Avrote a beautiful 
l).ist(U'y of Frances Sloeum. Mr. Meginness had a 
notable career. His earliest journalistic Avork Avas 



JOHN F. MEGINNESS. 61 

on Jersey Shore papers, and afterwards in Illinois. 
In 1847 lie enlisted from his native county of Lancas- 
ter for service in the Mexican war, and was present 
at the victorious entry of the Americain army into the 
City of Mexico. Subsequently lie taught school in 
Lycoming- County, and from 1869 to 1889 was editor 
of the Williamsport GazvUe and BuUdiii, over which 
journal his son, William Warren Meginness, now pre- 
sides. Over the nom de plume of "John of Lancaster" 
Mr. Meginness wrote historical and other voluminous 
papers. Death came to this conspicuous writer at a 
moment of complete happiness. Three weeks ago he 
and his good wife celebrated their goldeu wedding. 
It would be well for all of us if our memory could be 
cherished as kindly as that of the gentle and noble- 
souled John F. Meii'inness. 



[From The Wdlsboro Af/itafor.] 

Ml'. Meginness wrote a large part of the history of 
this county recently published, and he was the author 
of numerous historical works relative to this state. 
lie followed journalism during middle life. He was 
a genial, broad-minded and industrious man, and his 
cliaracter was so clean that he enjoyed the respect 
and confidence of all acquaiutauces. 



[From The MiUonian, Milton, Pa.] 

His devotion to the local history of the West 
Branch Valley in his later years has taken up all his 
time and' he cared for nothing else, unless it was some 
descriptive article. He was a gentleman of the old 



62 IN MEMORY OF 



school, was kiud, courteous and Avas always a fa- 
vorite amoug all newspaper men. 



[From The Wilkes-Barre Record, Nov. 13, 1899.] 

John F. Meginness was probably the best known 
and surely the most able newspaper writer in Central 
Pennsylvania, and had acquired a wide reputation as 
a journalist and historian. 

For a period of thirty-five years Mr. Meginuess de- 
voted his time to editorial work, and for nearly a 
quarter of a century was editor-in-chief of the Wil- 
liamsport Gazette and Bnlldin, being succeeded nine 
years ago by his son, Warren W. Meginness, the 
present editor. 

Mr. Meginness was an indefatigable investigator 
of the local aunals of the West Branch Valley, and 
through his efforts alone much valuable data which 
othei-Avise would have been lost was saved for the 
benefit of ])osterity. Over a score of historical woiks 
and pamphlets were written by Mr. Meginness, nota- 
ble among them being "The Lost Sister of Wyoming" 
(a history of Frances Slocuni); "The History of the 
West Branch Valley" and "The History of Lycoming 
County." 

After Mr. Meginness had retired from active news- 
paper work he devoted his time entirely to his his- 
torical work, and his contributions to the press of 
Williamsport and the West Branch Valley under the 
well known nom de plume, "John of Lancaster," ap- 
l)eared with more or less frequency and were of per- 
manent interest. 



JOHN F. MEGINNESS. 63 

Mr. Meginness was held in high esteem by the news- 
]i;i]ier men of Willianisport, many of whom had ac- 
(!iin'(Ml their training- nnder his watchfnl eye, and at 
his recent wedding anniversary publishers, editors, 
reporters ami printers united in showing their appre- 
ciation. 



[From The Echo, Moutoursville, Pa.] 

The sudden and unexpected death on Saturday 
night of J<din F. Meginness, the veteran journalist 
and historian of the West Branch Valley, was a great 
shock to his thousands of friends. Mr. Meginness was 
a man who commanded the universal respect of every 
man who ever had any dealings with him in any way, 
and was recognized as one of the most able newspa- 
per men in the state and a historian far beyond the 
ordinnry ability, and his work will speak volumes for 
him away down through the ages of years that are 
yet unnumbered, and the people of generations yet 
to come will honor and revere his name for the many 
good things that he has done, and the historical 
guides that his master mind and never-tiring hand 
has placed before the people, the good effect and 
benefit of which is destined to be as indet-;tructible as 
the everlasting mountaims and hills of Lycoming 
Ciounty, his chosen home. Ti^uly he labored for pos- 
t^erity. I i 



[From The Mimcy Luminary, Muncy, Pa.] 

It is with a feeling of deep sorrow and sincere re- 
gret that The Lumwary chronicles the sudden death 
of the veteran newspaper man and local annalist, 



04 IN MEMORY OF 



John F. Megiiiness, who, under the pen name of 
"John of Lancaster," Avas for many years an interest- 
ing" and Ycduminons writer upon local history and 
genealogy. The work of the local annalist is sehloni 
fully appreciated by his contemporaries, and we ven- 
ture to say that the some twenty volumes which came 
from the pen of Mr. Meginness will be more and more 
highl}^ prized as the years go by. 

In the forty or more years that have passed away 
since the publication of his first book, "Otzinachson; 
or. The History of the West Branch Valley," he has 
steadily worked at the collating and preserving our 
early annals, and it is due, in large measure, to his 
unremitting toil that so much of the material relat- 
ing to the early history of our beautiful valley has 
been reclaimed before it became irretrievably lost. 
This work, on the part of Mr. Meginness, was largely 
a labor of love and brought no sufficient pecuniary re- 
turn. 

lie was a tireless worker and a conscientious in- 
vestigator, and spent days, weeks and even months in 
the ardu<nis labor of searching musty official records 
and family papers in order to verify a tradition or es- 
tablish a reputed fact. He sought to found every 
important assertion upon a basis of truth, and herein 
lies much of the value of his life-long work — its 
authoritative character; Mr. Meginness can always 
be (juoted as an authority. His style was easy, his dic- 
tion i)ure, an.d the future historian of Central Penn- 
sylvania will of necessit}^ have to rely much ui)on the 
work of "John of Lancaster." 

M]-. Meginnefjs was genial, honest and a hater of 
sham and hypocrisy. While he worked among the 



JOHN F. MEGINNESS. <35 

records of the misty past, he always had an absorb- 
iiiii'; interest in the living- present, and was a great 
newspaper reader. The collectino' habit had taken 
full hold of him and his library contains much that 
is rare and unique. 



[From The Rcr aid, 'Jersey Shore, Pa., Nov. 15, 1899.] 

Mr. Meginness was one of nature's noblemen, 
generous, kind and affable. He was one of the oldest 
editors of the West Branch Valley, and w^as known 
far and near as a. man of remarkable literary ability 
and possessed of a wonderful ('onstitution, and rare- 
ly made a failure of any undertaking. He was honest 
and upright, in all his dealings with his fellow men, 
and wherever known he was held in the highest es- 
teem. The young editor always had a warm place in 
his heart, and many, many encouraging words he ut- 
tered to those who were struggling to gain a place 
in journalism. He seemed to delight in giving en- 
couragement where he thought it was most needed, 
and with his great experience and knowledge of hu- 
man, nature, he .sought out those who were weak and 
inexperienced, and helped to lift them up and give 
confidence to push forward. Men of his forethought 
and magnanimity are few in these days of the busy 
business world. All his efforts in this line were not 
lost to him, nor have they fallen fruitless to the 
ground. Many are they to-day who will rise up and 
praise him for his many kind words and acts. While 
not possessed with much of this world's goods, yet he 
has gone down to his grave full of years, honored and 
respected, loved and eulogized as but few are, which 



QQ IN MEMORY OF 



is far greater than riches. His death is deeply 
iiiourned because he was a useful and valued citizen, 
and many there are to-day Avho will drop a tear to 
his memory. John F. Meginness has gone out from 
anioiig us, but we will ever remember him as a kind, 
good advising friend. 

Mr. Meginness was the father of seven children, all 
of whom are respectable, well-to-do citizens. These 
and the estimable wife, with many friends and ac- 
quaintances, deeply mourn his sudden demise. 

Leaves have their time to fall, 
And flowers to wither at the north wind's breath, 

And stars to set, — but all, 
Thou hast all seasons for thine own, O Death. 



[From The Muncy Democrat, Muncy, Pa.] 

To announce the death of a fellow citizen, one 
whose life has been an example of goodness, and 
whose character has been above reproach, is a sad 
duty to perform. Yet hctw much more sad it is when 
we are called upon to convey the announcement that 
one whoi has been a strong character, a wise adviser, 
a true-hearted friend to the younger element of the 
newspaper fraternity, has suddenly gone from among 
us. 

John F. Meginness was a noble character, an honor 
to the profession, whose memory will be indelibly in- 
scribed in the hearts of all in the fraternity who knew 
him. Not only wais he the Nestor of newspaperdom 
in the West Branch Valley, but he was authority of 
the local history of the valley. A journalist of honest 
convictions, whose trenchant pen was always g'uided 
b}' a pure heart; an historian whose researches have 



JOHN F. MEGINNESS. 67 

placed his works ainono' the most accurate; a man 
whose acquaintance was broad and whose knowledge 
of men and things extended beyond the ordinary. 
The works of John F. Meginness will live on, an ever- 
lasting monument to his genius and the busy life that 
has taken its deimrture. 

John F. jMeginncss will be missed; his happy greet- 
ings, his warm hand and cheering words will never 
more gladden the heart of those laboring in the liter- 
ary and ncnvspaper field. He has finished his course, 
his lifeV: work is o'er, and his rest is one of eternal 
happiness. 



[From The Vidette, Jersey Shore, Pa.] 

The suddc^n and unexpected death of John F. Me 
ginness, of Williamsport, on Saturday evening, Nov. 
11th, 1890, removes from the ranks of journalism, 
and historical literature, one who had no local rival. 
He has, by his indefatigable labor in the gathering 
and collation of historical matter relating to the 
history of the West Branch Valley, erected a monu- 
ment that will preserve his memory to future genera- 
tions. As a writer, Mr. Meginness was facile and 
pleasing, and always interesting; as a man, genial 
and companionable, a loving husband, and fctnd par- 
ent. ' ' ■ ' _ : : 



[From The Cameron County P/-('s.s.] 

Thus passes away another of the old school editors; 
men known for their loyalty to friends and principles. 



ii,(>f.C. 



68 IN MEMORY OF 



[From The Columbian, Bloorasburg, Pa.] 

He was au editor for upwards of thirty-five years, 
and quite frequently during tluit time has writtea 
articles jicrtainiug to the history of C^olumbia C(;uu- 
ty, always writiuj;' over the sig"nature of "John of 
Lancaster." His last narrative, in which he described 
a trip through this county, appeared in many of the 
jtajx-rs hereabouts only a few months ago. 



[From The Eenovo Becord.^ 

Mr. Meginness was one of the best known newspa 
per men in the state. 



[From The Ledger, Philipsburg, Pa.] 

As a local historian he was well and widely known. 



[From llie Gazette, Driftwood, Pa.] 

His was a busy and useful life. He labored for 
posterity. 

[From The Mill Hall Times, MiU Hall, Pa.] 

John F. Meginncss, the veteran editor and noted 
hist(;vian,died ^ ery suddenly at his home in Williams- 
port on Saturday evening last. He Avas well known 
throughout the West Hranch Valley. 



[From The Morning Courier, DuBois, Pa.] 

JVIr. Meginress was one of the oldest and most wide- 
ly known journalists in the state, and Avas also a his- 
torian of note. He Avas the maker of the Gazette and 
Biillefiii, and author of the History of the West 



JOHN F. MEGINNESS. 69 

Braufli Valley, botli of which are well worthy to 
stand as momuments of a successful life. 



[From The 3Iinor, Montgomery, Pa.] 

The life work of John F. Meginness will live and 
be referred to when all now living and generations 
3'et unborn have i)assed away. No marble shaft is 
necessary to ktH'ii green his nienioi'y. To the newspa- 
per men of the present day his kind and fatherly aid 
and advice was ever ready, and, outside of his family, 
his cheer}^ and ever welcome voice will be missed 
by none so much .'».,s these. His grand and elevating 
personality made him the friend of all he came in 
contact with, and his loss is one of the greatest this 
county hyis sustained in many years. 



[From The Huffhesville Mail.} 

The death of John F. Meginness is a great loss to 
the field of journalism and the literai-y world, es- 
peciiiily so in the West Branch Valley, where his 
noni de plume, "John of Lancaster," had become a 
household word. The young and struggling journal- 
ist will feel that he has lost a counsellor and friend, 
for there was none to whom the young in harness 
could go so freely for consolation and inspiration. 
His life is an example for all who labor along the 
same lines, one worthy of emulation. 



70 IN MEMORY OF 



DAUGHTERS OF THE AMERICAN REVOLUTION. 



ACTION TAKEN AT A MEETING OF LYCOMING CHAPTER. 



At a ineetiui'' of Lyeomiiis;- Chapter, 1). A. II., held 
on Friday, November 17, 1899, the following minute 
was recorded: 

"Whereas, In the wisdom of an all-wise Providence, Mr. John 
F. Meginness has been called from his earthly historical researches 
to a heavenly knowledge of events; 

"Resolved, That in his death Lycoming Chapter, D. A. R., has 
lost a valued friend, one whose interest in it was ever active, and 
to whom we could, always refer with perfect confidence in his 
historical lore. Our loss is far-reaching and beyond expression. 

"Resolved, That we extend the sympathy of this Chapter to 
the bereaved wife and family. 

"Resolved, That a copy of this tribute be entered in the records 
of the Chapter, and that copies thereof be sent to the daily papers 
and to the family." 



ACTION OF LANCASTER HISTORICAL SOCIETY. 

At a meeting of the Lancaster County Historical 
Society, held at Lancaster, Pa., December 1, 1899, 
the following minute on the death of J. F. Meginness, 
an honorary member of the society, was offered by 
S. M. Sener: 

"John Franklin Meginness, who was an honorary member of this 
society, passed into rest on November 11, 1899, at Williamsport, 
Pa. He was born in Colerain Township, this county, on July 16, 
1827. He was an indefatigable delver in historic lore, and ac- 
complished much in preserving for the years to come great 
treasures in history, biography and genealogy, particularly in the 
West Branch Valley. His familiar signature was 'John of Lan- 
caster.' 

"This society deeply regrets the loss of this great fellow-worker, 
and extends its condolence and sympathy to the family of the 
deceased, and directs that this fact be entered upon its minutes 
and sent to the family." 



JOHN F. MEGINNESS. 71 



IN MEMORY OF "JOHN OF LANCASTER." 

The shades of night have closed around — 
The bells have rung their solemn sound, 
The preacher and the orator, too, 
Have said their last farewell adieu. 

The gap is filled, the ranks full made, 
And memory lingers in the shade. 
With collected thoughts in faith to wait 
The outcome of that eventful state. 

The work is done — the pen laid down, 
And he has donned the immortal crown; 
No painful expectation wounds — 
No disappointed hopes nor sounds. 

But an eternal peace, the goal, 
Fills with delight his raptured soul. 
The sun that shone for seventy years, 
No more his eyes will dim with tears: 

With ransomed spirits, 'mid the blest, 
Has entered on eternal rest. 
The gage of battle he has won. 
And now has laid his armor down. 

The heavenly cohorts bore him way 
To victory and eternal day. 
Peace to his ashes, may they rest 
Until the trumpets' signal blast 
Proclaim toi men the end of time. 
The resurrection all sublime. 

A. J. QUIGLEY. 
Williamsport, November 16, 1899. 



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